2017 MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is more powerful and roomier

MINI is heralding the arrival of the latest iteration of the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, offering to deliver intense driving dynamics and exhilarating open-air riding pleasure.

Created to accommodate four persons, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible features a stretched silhouette and dynamic surfaces designed to further optimize intake of cooling air and the vehicle’s aerodynamic attributes.

It boasts of a suspension technology derived from MINI’s racing expertise and certain bracing elements that allow for greater agility and more precise handling. Regardless of whether its textile top is opened or closed, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible conveys a definite high-quality look, no matter the point of view.

Exterior Design

Up front, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is identified as a MINI by a hexagonal radiator grille flanked by large circular LED headlamps with chrome rings, as well as side turn indicator surrounds (side scuttles) and black periphery around the bottom edge of the body. A John Cooper Works logo is set against this black background.

This hexagonal radiator grille – featuring a honeycomb pattern and a red-colored cross member at the bottom edge – is where the John Cooper Works logo can be found. However, the logo also appears on the luggage compartment lid.

The headlamps, meanwhile, are bordered by a LED daytime driving light ring, which has a white lower section serving as the turn indicator. Its stretched silhouette and modeled surfaces as well as short overhangs and wide track reveal an aggressive sporty appearance typical of the John Cooper Works models. On this particular model, the cooling concept entails large air inlets in the front section for satisfying the high cooling needs of the engine, its ancillary units and the brakes.

This cooling concept also entails extra air inlets in the outer areas of the front apron, taking up the location previously reserved to fog lamps. These extra air inlets supply air to an additional external radiator. Meanwhile, the lower part of the front apron is endowed with air ducting elements – along with side sills, the rear apron with flaps and a diffuser element -- that help optimize convertible’s aerodynamics.

Other exclusive exterior features include tailpipes – with large cross-section -- of the sports exhaust system that are integrated centrally in the rear apron. Customers may have their new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible finished in MINI John Cooper Works-exclusive Rebel Green color.

They may also have the exterior mirror caps finished in white, black or in Chili Red. Interestingly, they may have their cars specified in John Cooper Works bonnet stripes.

Interior Design

Since the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is larger than its predecessor, it offers a well-design interior that is roomy enough for four persons and uses high-end and premium materials.

Both the front and rear sections of the cabin feature cupholders and storage spaces for drinks and travel utensils. In fact, door pockets could accommodate bottles of up to 1.5 liters.

Customers may avail of an optional storage package that includes storage nets. It also has a 12-volt socket in the luggage compartment and passenger footwell. Precision is a recurring theme inside the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible, as evidenced in its design details.

For instance, the belt feeds for both the front and rear seats feature the same style, while the holders at the rear that serve as a cover for rollover protection have been integrated indiscernibly. Of course, the invisibly new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is laden with design features typically found in John Cooper Works models – all of which help deliver a dynamic performance experience. As standard equipment, the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is provided with the new John Cooper Works sports seats, featuring Carbon Black-colored integrated headrests and upholstery in Dinamica/fabric.

Optionally though, customers could have these sport seats wrapped in a Dinamica/Carbon Black leather with red applications. Interestingly, the rear cabin features two rear seats for individual seating, which ensures optimized lateral hold during dynamic cornering.

The new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is also provided, as standard, with John Cooper Works leather steering wheel (with multifunction buttons), the John Cooper Works gear or selector lever, and the John Cooper Works door sill cover strips. Likewise provided are stainless steel pedals with driver footrest as well as cockpit displays with dark dials.

Seat surfaces, the steering wheel rim, and the gear or selector lever feature Black Chequered interior trim with red design accentuations. Since the front seats now have an extended adjustment range, it has become easier for rear occupants to enter or exit the cabin. Ensuring optimized space comfort in the rear cabin are expanded seat surfaces and increased headroom while interior width and knee space at the rear have been made more generous.

Meanwhile, the downward-opening tailgate of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible can be used as a surface on which to place luggage items of 80 kilograms max. When the textile top is closed, the driver could expand the opening of the luggage compartment through the Easy Load function.

This compartment could accommodate 160 liters of cargo with the soft top open and 215 liters when closed. The new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is also specified with a 50:50 folding split backrest as well as a through-loading facility.

Powertrain

Representing the second John Cooper Works model of its generation, the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is served rightfully by a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine specially developed for John Cooper Works models. Fitted with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology (distinctly designed pistons, turbocharger and exhaust system) seen on the engine of the MINI Cooper S Convertible, this front-mounted engine boasts of 25 percent more capacity, 10 percent more output and 23 percent more torque than the engine found in the predecessor model.

When it comes to power, the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine achieves 170 kW (231 hp) of max output -- representing a surge of 29 kW (39 hp) compared to the one that powers the new MINI Cooper S Convertible – available from 5,200 rpm and offering 320 Nm of peak torque available at between 1,250 rpm and 4,800 rpm.

Moreover, this new 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission as standard or a six-speed Steptronic sport transmission as an option. In addition, this engine helps the manual version of the MINI John Cooper Works Convertible to consume 6.5 liters of fuel per 100 km (combined EU) and emit 152 grams of carbon dioxide per km.

The automatic version consumes 5.9 lites of fuel per 100 km and emits 138 grams of carbon dioxide per km (combined EU). MINI’s TwinPower Turbo Technology includes a turbocharging system integrated in the exhaust manifold as well as petrol direct injection with injectors laid out centrally between the valves.

Also, the MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology features the VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control as well as a double VANOS, which locates variable camshaft control on the intake and exhaust side. This technology features a newly developed turbocharger made from highly temperature-resilient material. This turbocharger has the capability to generate higher charge-air pressure to deliver the needed power across a wide range of engine speed.

Moreover, MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology features specific pistons that complement its turbocharging system by allowing compression reduction as adapted to the high level of charge-air pressure. The result is a power delivery and dynamic performance similar to that of a sports car.

In fact, new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in just 6.6 seconds (automatic: 6.5 seconds) and from 80 km/h to 120 km/h in only 6.1 seconds in the fifth gear of the standard manual gearbox.

Max speed is pegged at 242 km/h for the manual model and 240 km/h for the automatic version. Complementing the performance of this engine is a specific sports exhaust system that features a low level of exhaust back pressure, resulting to spontaneous engine power delivery and an emotional sound typical John Cooper Works models. One of the technical wonders of the new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible is its electrically operated textile top that could be opened or closed, noiselessly, within just 18 seconds after pressing a single button.

Press Release

The new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible

John Cooper Works now launches the second top athlete of the new model generation; new MINI John Cooper Works Convertible invites racing fans to enjoy extreme driving fun in a particularly exclusive way; unique vehicle concept in the small car segment combining authentic racing feel with intense open-air enjoyment, complete with the premium quality and mature product substance of the new MINI generation.

Thrilling performance properties and extrovert charisma; drive, suspension technology and aerodynamics developed on the basis of well-established racing expertise; distinctive design features in the unmistakable style of John Cooper Works and clearly differentiated from the new MINI Convertible.

Powerfully expressive design with dynamically stretched silhouette, powerful surface shaping and optimised air routing in the style of John Cooper Works; large cooling air outlets in the front apron which also occupy the space provided for the parking lights and fog lamps in the MINI Convertible; distinctively designed side sills and rear apron; LED headlights with white turn indicators and LED rear lights as standard; radiator grille, side scuttles and tailgate with John Cooper Works logo; optional body finish in the variant Rebel Green exclusively available for John Cooper Works models.

New textile top with fully electrically powered, especially low-noise operation for the first time; fully automatic opening and closing of the soft top at the press of a button in 18 seconds, also during travel at speeds up to 30 km/h; sliding roof function available at any road speed; optional MINI Yours top with integrated high-end Union Jack graphic.

Vehicle dimensions, wheelbase and track width significantly larger than in predecessor model; optimised space on all four seats; rear seats with single-seat character and extended seat surface; luggage compartment capacity increased to 215 litres with the top closed and 160 litres with the top open; standard trim includes folding split backrest, enlarged through-loading facility and Easy Load function.

High-quality interior with refined premium ambience, modern display and operating concept of the latest MINI generation and the sports car cockpit typical of John Cooper Works models; fully integrated rollover protection bars behind the rear seats; John Cooper Works sports seats in Dinamica/fabric Carbon Black with integrated headrests; John Cooper Works door sill cover strips; John Cooper Works leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles in conjunction with the 6-speed Steptronic sport transmission; John Cooper Works gearshift or selector lever; cockpit displays and central instrument surround in model-specific design; pedals and driver footrest in stainless steel.

Highly rigid body structure with convertible-specific bracing elements for an agile driving response with maximum occupant protection; complete set of standard safety features with front airbags, head-thorax airbags integrated in the backrests, 3-point automatic belts on all seats, ISOFIX child seat mountings for the front passenger seat and at the rear, tyre pressure display and partially active engine compartment lid for optimum pedestrian protection; needs-based control of the restraint systems and rollover protection by means of centralised safety electronics.

Standard trim includes fully automatic soft top operation, air conditioning, MINI Driving Modes, Radio MINI Boost with AUX-IN and USB socket, as well as Park Distance Control.

Exclusive optional equipment and John Cooper Works tuning accessories; optional MINI Head-Up Display with John Cooper Works specific display content; MINI Driving Assistant; Parking Assistant; rear view camera; 2-zone automatic air conditioning with convertible mode; Always Open Timer with new display content; new wind deflector with reduced weight and simplified attachment; Comfort Access; rain sensor with automatic driving lights control: MINI Excitement Package including MINI Logo projection from the exterior mirror onto the ground in front of the door on the driver's side; MINI navigation system and Wired equipment package including navigation system Professional with MINI Touch Controller; Bluetooth mobile phone preparation; exterior mirror caps in Chili Red; 18-inch John Cooper Works light alloy wheels CupSpoke 2-tone; John Cooper Works bonnet stripes as well as exterior and interior components from the John Cooper Works Pro design line.

Complete MINI Connected in-car infotainment program; constantly updated selection of apps for integration in the car via smartphone; exclusive MINI functions such as MINI Streetwise, online search, Sports Instruments and Force Meter; MINI Connected XL Journey Mate with real time traffic radar and rain warning function; online-based services for the use of social networks as well as entertainment offers such as Spotify, AUPEO!, Stitcher, Deezer, Audible, Napster/Rhapsody, TuneIn and GoPro.